Maritime Museum of Tasmania

February 23, 2023
Mathew Reed
Uncategorized

About Maritime Museum of Tasmania

For nearly forty years, the Maritime Museum of Tasmania has stood as a testament to the island’s long maritime history. Founded by just six dedicated enthusiasts in 1972, it was born out of pooled private collections and donations from The Shiplovers’ Society – which had been lobbying for such an endeavour since 1931! It started small, two rooms at St George’s Church in Battery Point. But public support helped them make their move fifteen years later into Secheron House (1831), located near some historically significant shipyards that have seen many vessels built over centuries past. Through generous contributions from locals and visitors alike, we can continue to preserve our oceanic heritage for generations to come.

The Maritime Museum of Tasmania is a major community attraction and educational resource located in the centre of Hobart at Constitution Dock and Sullivans Cove. In 2000, Queen Elizabeth II made her official visit to open the museum’s new redevelopment, marking this an important milestone for maritime history.

What to do at the Maritime Museum of Tasmania

For almost fifty years, the Shiplovers’ Society of Tasmania has been dedicated to preserving and celebrating nautical history. Since 1972, six passionate enthusiasts have grown their private collections, which formally laid the foundation for what is now known as The Maritime Museum of Tasmania. Public contributions help keep these original displays thriving and expanding today – from two humble rooms in St George’s Church at Battery Point back in 1974 all the way up to historic Secheron House (1831), located near former shipyards that have helped build vessels over 200 years.

At the Maritime Museum of Tasmania, explore our new exhibition, ‘Ice in the Rigging’, and discover how Hobart has played a pivotal role in Antarctic exploration. Here you will find visual representations – paintings, photographs, models – all dedicated to recounting some of history’s most brave voyages across one of Earth’s toughest oceans: The Southern Ocean. See for yourself what it takes to venture into this forbidding stretch as you learn about vessels that have made their way south towards Antarctica!